20190661 Ver 1_Year 1 Monitoring Report_20210914

ID#* 20190661 Version* 1
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Katie Merritt
Initial Review Completed Date 09/14/2021
Mitigation Project Submittal - 9/14/2021
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Jason Lorch
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r DMS r Mitigation Bank
Sassarixa Swamp II Nutrient Offset and Buffer
Mitigation Bank Parcel
Johnston
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Mitigation Monitoring Report
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Sassarixa Swamp II Nutrient Offset and Buffer Mitigation Bank Parcel
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Wildlands Holdings III, LLC's Sassarixa Swamp II Nutrient Offset and Buffer Mitigation Bank
Monitoring Year 1 Report
September 2021
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WILDLANDS
ENGINEERING
PREPARED BY:
Wildlands Engineering, Inc.
312 West Millbrook Road, Suite 225
Raleigh, NC 27609
Phone: [phone]

MONITORING YEAR 1 REPORT
Sassarixa Swamp II Nutrient Offset and Buffer Mitigation Bank Parcel
Wildlands Holdings III, LLC's Sassarixa Swamp II Nutrient Offset and Buffer Mitigation Bank
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1 INTRODUCTION.....................................................................................................................2
1.1 Project Description................................................................................................................. 2
1.2 Bank Sponsor.......................................................................................................................... 2
1.3 Project History........................................................................................................................ 2
1.4 Project Location...................................................................................................................... 3
1.5 Project Design......................................................................................................................... 3
2 VEGETATION MONITORING....................................................................................................4
2.1 Success Criteria....................................................................................................................... 4
2.2 Description of Species and Monitoring Protocol................................................................... 4
2.3 Results of Vegetation Monitoring.......................................................................................... 5
2.4 Parcel Adaptive Management................................................................................................ 5
2.5 Conclusions.............................................................................................................................5
3 REFERENCES..........................................................................................................................6
LIST OF TABLEz,
Table 1
Project Reporting History
Table 2
Tree Species Selected for Buffer Restoration
Table 3
Character/Existing Tree Species
Table 4
Monitoring Plot Summary — Planting (As -Built)
Table 5
Monitoring Plot Summary — Year 1
APPENDICES
Appendix A: Figures
Figure 1 Project Location Map
Figure 2 Service Area Map
Figure 3 Credit Generation Map
Figure 4 Monitoring Components Map Key
Figure 4a-c Monitoring Components Map
Appendix B: Bank Credit Ledger
Appendix C: Vegetation Assessment Data
Table 6 Vegetation Plot Success Summary
Table 7 Stem Count Total and Planted Species by Vegetation Plot
Appendix D: Vegetation Monitoring Plot Photos and Data Results
Appendix E: Overview Photos
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1.0 Introduction
1.1 Project Description
The Sassarixa Swamp II Nutrient Offset and Buffer Mitigation Bank Parcel ("Parcel") is part of Wildlands
Holdings III, LLC, (Sponsor) Sassarixa Swamp II Nutrient Offset and Buffer Mitigation Bank (Bank). The
development of the Parcel was in conjunction with the NC Division of Mitigation Services (NCDMS)
Sassarixa Swamp Stream and Riparian Buffer Mitigation Site (DWR Project No. 2018-00432). The project
includes four unnamed tributaries, one ditch, and an ephemeral channel to Sassarixa Creek and six
unnamed tributaries to Black Creek. The project drains directly into Holts Lake, which drains to the
Neuse River. The Parcel location is depicted in Figure 1. The purpose of the Parcel is to provide riparian
buffer mitigation credits to compensate for buffer impacts according to the Consolidated Buffer
Mitigation Rule 15A NCAC 02B .0295 (effective November 1, 2015) and development requiring nutrient
offset payments according to 15A NCAC 02B .0703 within the Hydrologic Unit Code (HUC) 03020201
excluding the Falls Lake Watershed. The Bank service area is depicted in Figure 2.
Prior to construction, the majority of the Parcel lacked riparian buffer except a few areas with mature
loblolly pine forest along T1 and a mixed hardwood forest along T6. The Parcel is located immediately
adjacent to the NCDMS Sassarixa Swamp Stream and Riparian Buffer Mitigation Site (NCDMS ID No.
100040). The NCDMS project includes a conservation easement area that extends 50 feet from the top
of bank of the mitigated streams. The Parcel's conservation easement area extends beyond the DMS
easement, for a maximum of 200 feet from the top of bank of the mitigated stream. The Parcel was
restored to provide ecological and water quality enhancements to the Neuse River Basin by creating a
functional riparian corridor. Approximately 26.67 acres have been protected with a permanent
conservation easement along ten unnamed tributaries (T1, T1A, T1B, T3, T4, T5, T5A, T513, T5C, and T6).
A conservation easement was recorded on the Parcel in April 2020.
1.2 Bank Sponsor
The Sassarixa Swamp II Nutrient Offset and Buffer Mitigation Bank Parcel is a part of the Bank. The
Mitigation Banking Instrument (MBI) for the Bank was signed in December 2019.
Wildlands Holdings 111, LLC
1430 South Mint Street, Suite 104
Charlotte, NC 28203
Phone: [phone]
Attn: Shawn Wilkerson
Email: [e-mail]
1.3 Project History
Project history is provided in Table 1.
Table 1. Project Reporting History
Activity
Completion Date
Wildlands Holdings III, LLC MBI
December 2019
Bank Parcel Development Package Approved
December 2019
Conservation Easement
April 2020
Bare Root Planting
March 2021
As -Built & Baseline Monitoring Document
June 2021
Year 1 Monitoring Completed
September 2021
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1.4 Project Location
The Parcel is located in Johnston County approximately six miles southwest of Smithfield and five miles
north of Four Oaks (Figure 1). The Parcel involves riparian restoration on ten unnamed tributaries (T1,
T1A, T1B, T3, T4, T5, T5A, T5B, T5C, and T6) in accordance with the Consolidated Buffer Mitigation Rules
(15A NCAC 02B .0295). The Parcel is located within the Neuse River Basin HUC 03020201130030 and
North Carolina Division of Water Resources (NCDWR) Subbasin 03-04-04 and was restored for riparian
buffer mitigation credit and nutrient offset credit in the Neuse River Basin HUC 03020201 (excluding
Falls Lake) (Figure 2).
From Raleigh take 1-40 E. Take exit 319 for NC-210 toward Smithfield/Angier. Turn left onto NC-210 E
(signs for Smithfield). Continue on NC-210 E for 2.4 miles and turn right onto Lassiter Road. After 4.6
miles, turn left onto Black Creek Road. Continue on Black Creek Road for 0.7 miles and then turn right
onto Old Olive Road. The first parcel is 0.1 mile on the right of Old Olive Road. The other parcels are at
various locations further down Old Olive Road.
1.5 Project Design
Approximately 26.67 acres are protected in a conservation easement. The Parcel will generate 23.38
acres of Neuse riparian buffer credits. Additionally, the Parcel will generate 3.11 acres of nutrient offset
credits, which creates 7,061.752 pounds of nitrogen credits. Credit generation is shown in Figure 3. The
revegetation plan for the Parcel included planting of bare root trees and controlling invasive species
growth. Bare root trees selected for the Parcel were native bottomland hardwood species typical for
Coastal Plain communities as defined by Schafale (1990). Adjacent forested areas were also used as a
reference for the Parcel. Tree species selected for planting on the Parcel as well as size specifications,
planting density, and plant composition are detailed in Table 2.
Table 2. Tree Species Selected for Buffer Restoration
Scientific Name
Common Name
Size
(feet)
Planting Density
(Stems/Acre)
Planting Composition
Platanus occidentalis
Sycamore
2-3
111
20%
Betula nigra
River Birch
2-3
111
20%
Populus deltoides
Eastern Cottonwood
2-3
83
15%
Acer negundo
Boxelder
2-3
83
15%
Quercus michauxii
Swamp Chestnut Oak
2-3
83
15%
Quercus phellos
Willow Oak
2-3
83
15%
Totals
554
100%
Natural recruitment of desirable Character Tree species shall be counted towards the survival and
success rate of the restored site. "Character Trees" are defined as planted or volunteer species
identified from a survey of local vegetation on less degraded sections of the specified stream and from
reference literature that details native species. A list of Character Tree species (other than the planted
species) is included in Table 3.
Table 3. Character/Existing Tree Species
Scientific Name
Common Name
Wetland Indicator Status
Acer rubrum
Red Maple
FAC
Liquidambar styraciflua
Sweetgum
FAC+
Pinus toedo
Loblolly Pine
FACU
Liriodendron tulipifera
Tulip Poplar
FACU
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Quercus phellos
Willow Oak
FAC
Quercus nigra
Water Oak
FAC
Plantus occidentalis
Sycamore
FACW
Carpinus caroliniana
Ironwood
FAC
Salixnigra
Black Willow
OBL
Notes: *Source: Schafale & Weakley (1990)
Vegetation Monitoring
2.1 Success Criteria
Buffer vegetative success criteria are based upon the density and growth of species as defined in Tables
2 & 3. Vegetative success criteria are based upon guidelines set forth in the Consolidated Buffer
Mitigation Rule 15A NCAC 02B .0295 (effective November 1, 2015) and is defined as a success rate
equivalent to 260 live stems per acre at the end of the 5-year monitoring period.
For coastal headwater buffer restoration areas under Rule 15A NCAC 02B .0295 (o)(2) the vegetative
success criteria are the survival of 260 planted stems per acre at the end of year five and 210 planted
stems per acre at the end of year seven. Success for coastal headwaters vegetation is also tied to the
success of the coastal headwater on site, T5C. As stated in the NCDMS Sassarixa Swamp Mitigation Plan,
visual monitoring will take place for seven years to insure T5C stays a coastal headwater and will be
reported in the annual Monitoring Reports for both the NCDMS Mitigation Site and the Sassarixa Swamp
II Nutrient Offset and Buffer Mitigation Bank Parcel.
If vegetative success criteria are not achieved based on acreage density calculations from combined
monitoring plots over the entire restoration area, or if an inspection of a buffer restoration site indicates
that portions of the Parcel do not have sufficient stem densities or are otherwise deficient,
supplemental planting shall be performed with tree species approved by NCDWR. Supplemental
planting shall be performed as needed until vegetative success criteria are met. No quantitative
measurements of herb assemblages will be required to meet the vegetative success criteria.
2.2 Description of Species and Monitoring Protocol
The quantity of monitoring plots was determined in accordance with the Carolina Vegetative Sampling
(CVS) Protocol (Level II) such that at least 2 percent of the Parcel is encompassed in monitoring plots. A
total of 19 plots (10 meters by 10 meters) were established within the credit generation area. PVC pipe
was used to mark the four corners of the plots and GPS points were taken at each of the corners.
Monitoring plot locations are shown in Figure 4. A reference photo was taken from the southwest
corner of each plot (Appendix D). All planted stems within the plots were marked with flagging tape and
recorded. Total numbers of tree species planted within the monitoring plots as well as planting density
and plant composition are detailed in Table 4. Detailed results of the Monitoring Year 1 stem count are
summarized in Appendix C.
Table 4. Monitoring Plot Summary — Planting (As -Built)
Scientific Name
Total Stems
Flagged
Calculated Planting Density
(Stems/Acre)
planting Composition
Acernegundo
24
51
9%
Betula nigra
50
107
20%
Magnolia virginiana
14
30
6%
Platanus occidentalis
53
113
20%
Populus deltoides
17
36
7%
Quercus michauxii
40
85
15%
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Quercus nigra
21
45
8%
Quercus phellos
40
85
15%
Totals
259
552
100%
2.3 Results of Vegetation Monitoring
The 19 vegetation plots were sampled in September 2021 at the end of the first growing season. A
reference photo was taken from the southwest corner of each plot, which can be found in Appendix D
along with the stem count raw data. Total numbers of tree species identified within the monitoring plots
as well as density and composition are summarized in Table 5. Vegetation result tables with planted
stem density, and stem count by plot and species are summarized in Appendix C.
The 2021 vegetation plot monitoring resulted in stem density ranging from 243 to 647 stems per acre,
with an average of 494 stems per acre. Eighteen out of nineteen vegetation plots are on track to meet
the final success criteria of 260 planted stems per acre. Vegetation Plot 3 did not on meet the final
success criteria with six planted stems and an average stem density of 243 planted stems per acre.
Planting was completed in March 2021 followed by a two -month dry period. The dry period damaged
and killed a portion of the planted stems, mostly along T1 and T6. A thorough visual assessment of the
survivability of the planted stems and potential resprouts will be completed in Spring 2022.
Table 5. Monitoring Plot Summary —Year 1
Scientific Name
Total Stems Flagged
Calculated Live Stem DensityPlanting
(Stems/Acre)
Composition
Acer negundo
20
42
9%
Betula nigra
45
96
19%
Magnolia virginiana
14
30
6%
Platanus occidentalis
45
96
19%
Populus deltoides
15
32
6%
Quercus michauxii
37
79
16%
Quercus nigra
20
1 42
9%
Quercus phellos
36
77
16%
Totals
232
494
100%
2.4 Parcel Adaptive Management
Adaptive measures will be developed, or appropriate remedial actions will be implemented in the event
the Parcel, or a specific component of the Parcel fails to achieve the success criteria outlined in the
BPDP. Parcel maintenance will be performed to correct any identified problems on the Parcel that have
a high likelihood of affecting project success. Such items include but are not limited to; excess tree
mortality caused by fire, flooding, drought, or insects. Any actions implemented will be designed to
achieve the success criteria and will include a work schedule and updated monitoring criteria.
2.5 Conclusions
Overall a majority of the vegetation is thriving across the site and on track to meet the final success
criteria of 260 planted stems per acre. Eighteen of nineteen vegetation plots exceed the vegetation
success criteria. The Parcel has an average stem density of 494 planted stems per acre, with plots
ranging from 243 to 647 stems per acre. Herbaceous vegetation is establishing across the Parcel along
with several pollinator species. A visual assessment will take place in Spring 2022 to evaluate
survivability of planted trees and resprouts along T1 and T6.
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3.0 References
Guidelines for Riparian Buffer Restoration. NC Department of Environment and Natural Resources,
Ecosystem Enhancement Program. October 2004.
Lee, Michael T., Peet, Robert K., Steven D., Wentworth, Thomas R. 2006. CVS-EEP Protocol for Recording
Vegetation Version 4.0. Retrieved from
http://www.nceep.net/business/monitoring/veg/datasheets.htm.
Peet, R.K., T.R. Wentworth and P.S. White. 1998. A flexible, multipurpose method for recording
vegetation composition and structure. Castanea 63:262-274. http://cvs.bio.unc.edu/methods.htm
Schafale, M.P. 2012. Guide to the Natural Communities of North Carolina, Fourth Approximation.
Schafale, M.P. and Weakley, A.S. 1990. A Classification of the Natural Communities of North Carolina,
Third Approximation.
Wildlands Holdings III, LLC (2019). Sassarixa Swamp Mitigation Banking Instrument. NCDWR, Raleigh NC.
http://Portal.ncdenr.org/web/wq/nutrientbufferbanks
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